X-ray diagnosis of intestinal malrotation in children

Objective:To sum up the x- ray signs of intestinal malrotation and to evaluate the means of examination. Methods:40 cases of intestinal malrotation in children aged from 1 hour to 16 years were reviewed. The diagnostic evaluations included 40 plain abdomen films,40 upper gastrointestinal barium series and 20 barium enemas. Results: Upper gastrointestinal obstruction was found on the plain film in 34 cases among which 4 showed abnormal position of jejunum. Duodenal obstruction was detected in 37 cases with gastrointestinal barium study among which 21 showed malposition of duodenojejunal junction and 16 showed whorl sing. Fifteen of twenty were found abnamal cecal position with barium enema examination. Conclusion :The malposition of duodenojejunal junction, whorl sign and abnormal cecal position are special signs of intestinal malrotation;The combination of the three x- ray examinations may be helpful in the diagnosis of intestinal malrotation.